Springwood: Birthplace of Franklin D. Roosevelt

Springwood • Route 9, Hyde Park, N.Y. 12538 • Phone: (845) 229-9115 • Hours: Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Call for more information. • Groups welcome. Handicapped accessible. Related stories • FDR always proud of valley roots • FDR left mark on nation — and area's buildings • FDR legacy molds policy of present • Radio launched new era of political persuasion • Roosevelt's life, death still mystify • Together, Burroughs and Roosevelt champion nature • Top Cottage was FDR's hideaway

The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, which contains 290 acres, is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. It is located on U.S. 9, 6 miles north of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. For information, write 519 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538-1997.

In 1867, 15 years before Franklin Roosevelt was born, his father James Roosevelt bought the house at Springwood. It was a large farmhouse built around 1800, but James, and later Sara and Franklin, transformed it into something grander. The previous owner had already built a three-story tower and a full-length covered porch. James added two rooms, enlarged the servants' wing, and built a large carriage house for his prized horses and carriages. Franklin also planted many varieties of trees on the grounds, eventually turning large sections of the estate into an experimental forestry station.

Franklin had a lifelong interest in trees, beginning with specimen plantings he made with his father in the 1880s. After 1911, FDR began large scale plantings of his own, later entering into an agreement with the Forestry Department of Syracuse University to use the wood lots at Springwood as an experimental forestry station. Almost half a million trees were planted at Springwood between 1911-45.

FDR took pride in the fact that he could contribute timber to the war effort after 1941. President Roosevelt's interest in trees, and in conservation in general, played an important part in the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps, still regarded as one of the most successful New Deal programs.

The cluttered Living Room and Library reflects the eclectic decorating style of FDR and his mother Sara. A melange of family heirlooms, European and Oriental antiques and American department store furnishings created an impressive yet comfortable room.

FDR spent countless hours at his corner desk working with his stamps, rigging a model ship or pursuing a newly acquired rare book. His collections were impressive: a personal library of 14,000 volumes; more than 2,000 naval paintings, prints and lithographs; more than 200 model ships; 1.2 million stamps; more than 300 mounted bird specimens and thousands of coins, banknotes, campaign buttons and medallions.